Environmental Studies

This is an exciting time to pursue a major or minor in Environmental Studies.

So many important environmental concerns are in the news each day: from global warming to endangered species; from emerging infectious diseases to deforestation; from the economics of alternative energy sources to political conflicts over vital natural resources. It is becoming increasingly impossible to ignore these complicated and urgent problems.

The Environmental Studies Program at The College of New Rochelle provides you with the knowledge, skills, and experience to understand the many aspects of environmental issues and the tools to pursue a multitude of careers in the environmental field.

This program is interdisciplinary, including courses in the natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences. Students majoring in Environmental Studies choose between a B.S. or B.A. track based on their career goals. Many students pursue Environmental Studies as a double major, while a minor in Environmental Studies can be a great benefit to those planning careers in business, politics, law, economics, communication arts, or education.

There is a strong emphasis on experiential learning in the Environmental Studies Program. The College of New Rochelle's location allows us to take frequent field trips to attend conferences, visit facilities at renowned institutions, and conduct field work in a wide variety of natural areas. Likewise, students are required to participate in an internship in their area of interest. Students in the Environmental Studies Program gather their insights into environmental issues first-hand.

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies

The B.S. track is well-suited to students with a strong interest and aptitude in natural sciences as they apply to the environment. Upon graduation, students with a B.S. in Environmental Studies would be prepared to pursue graduate school training or a career in numerous fields including: public health, toxicology, ecological research, natural resource management, wildlife biology, environmental engineering, conservation biology, medical entomology, and forestry, among others.

Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies

The B.A. track is more appropriate for students with a strong interest in the societal aspects and implications of environmental issues. Among the graduate school and career options for students with a B.A. in Environmental Studies are: environmental education, environmental law and policy, public affairs, environmental advocacy, parks management and administration, fundraising and development, environmental writing and editing, community organization and outreach, and environmental consulting.

Field Trips

There is a strong emphasis on experiential learning in the Environmental Studies Program. Students take field trips to local wildlife sanctuaries and conservation centers, public health facilities, and a vector ecology lab. They also attend conferences and hear presentations by scientists at world-renowned research institutions, including the American Museum of Natural History and the Bronx Zoo.

W.I.L.D.E.

Women In Lasting Defense of the Environment is a student group dedicated to increasing awareness about environmental concerns. The organization celebrates Earth Day, holds fundraisers for a variety of ecological causes, and hosts cleanup efforts at local marshlands.

Students are required to participate in internships in their area of interest. These may include governmental agencies, environmental organizations, private companies, research labs, or educational institutions. Internships are intended to provide students with "real life" work experience and enhance students' employment opportunities upon graduation.

Students in Environmental Studies work closely with the faculty to identify and pursue such internship opportunities. Likewise, faculty help students research and apply for jobs, or, if additional training is necessary for a student's career goals, graduate programs and professional schools.

The Environmental Studies Program subscribes to Environmental Career Opportunities, a bi-monthly electronic newsletter with over 500 listings, to help students find out about internships, jobs, and graduate programs in all areas of the environmental field. For access codes, contact Dr. Faith Kostel-Hughes at (914) 654-5306 or fkostel@cnr.edu.

COSMOS — which stands for Creating Opportunities for Success in Math Or Science — is a living-learning community designed specifically for students majoring in Biology, Chemistry, Math or Environmental Studies.

The community, which was started in Fall 2012, is located on the second floor of Ursula Hall. Students in COSMOS have two common rooms in their wing, one for group study and another for quiet study.

Students also have access to a Resource Room in the lower lounge of Ursula Hall. The Resource Room includes equipment to support academic achievement in each of these disciplines including: microscopes and slides, a molecular model set, calculators, an anatomical model, and a skeleton.

COSMOS programming has included participation in a citizen science effort on International Coastal Cleanup Day, a Food from the Campus Garden cooking program, a presentation on study skills for science and math, and a visit to the Museum of Mathematics.